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[E AARON BURR EXPEDITION 



LETTERS 

TO 

EPHRAIM BROWN 

FROM 

SILAS BROWN 

1805-1815 



,%1 



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These letters of Silas Brown, Cousin of our Grandfather Brown, 
were found by Aunt Elizabeth and Aunt Anne about twenty-five 
years ago among Grandfather's papers. They were shown to many 
of the family, and later were given to me. I had typewritten copies 
made then, as the original letters were very brittle. After Aunt 
Elizabeth's death. Aunt Anne asked for them, with the understand- 
ing that they were to be returned to me later. This was done last 
Fall, and in January last I submitted the typewritten copy to Mr. 
Gaillard Hunt, Chief of the Manuscripts Division, Library of Con- 
gress, Washington. I did this feeling they were of National import- 
ance, not State. After reading them, Mr. Hunt wrote me twice, ask- 
ing that they be left in the custody of the Library, and expressing 
his feeling as to the historical and geographical value of these letters. 
Mr. Hunt's letters were unfortunately burned. After reaching home 
I sent the original Silas Brown letters to Mr. Hunt, receiving from 
him the following letter acknowledging them : 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 

Manuscript Division. 
Washington, May 28, 1915. 
Mg Dear Mrs. Harter : 

1 have directed that the copies of the Silas Brown Letters be 
sent to you, and that a regular acknowledgment be made for the 
originals, which have arrived safe and sound, and are to be a de- 
posit, subject to recall at your pleasure. 

I assure you that the Library appreciates very highly your gen- 
erosity, and its usefulness to historical writers will be apparent as 
soon as the papers come to be used. 

I shall hope to see you again next season, and am, 
Very Sincerely Yours, 

GAILLARD HUNT. 



1 hold also the following paper: 

[No. 168] LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, \ 

Washington, D. C, June 2, 1915. ] 
The Library of Congress has received some sixteen letters of 
Silas Brown— 1805-1817, from Mrs. Michael D. Harter, 381 Park 
Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio, for deposit under the following con- 
ditions: "Loan, subject to recall at the pleasure of Mrs. Harter." 
(Signed) HERBERT PUTNAM, 

Librarian of Congress. 
By FRED. W. ASHLEY, 

Chief Order Division. 



These papers I shall preserve with care, and I trust you may 
enjoy going back into the past of our common ancestors as much as 
I have. 



To Ephraim Brown, Jun,, Esq., 

Westmoreland, N, H. 

Keene, May 3rd, 1805. 
Dear Sir : 

As I have a number of things to attend to next 
week, and considering the expense of going to Boston more 
than the profit, I have thought best not to be at the expense 
of hiring a horse for that purpose. If I can carry all my 
plans into effect, I shall expect to be concerned in Business 
at "Westmoreland with you as we agreed when I saw you 
last. Nothing new in particular. I am Sir, with Regard, 

Your humble Servant, 

Silas Brown, Jun. 

Mr. Brown, Albany, 15th July, 1805. 

Sir: 

I arrived in this City on Friday last and 
shall tarry here 15 or 20 Days, and perhaps longer, I 
should be extremely happy to inform you what I shall do 
respecting Business, but I declare to you, I do not at present 
know myself — But from what Encouragement I have had 
from a Gentleman in Schenectady, I am induced to believe 
that it will be more to my Interest to continue this side of the 
Green Mountains than to go to New Hampshire or Vermont. 

Were it as much for my Interest to go to Wadsboro as 
to stay this side the Hudson River, I would with the greatest 
pleasure take hold with Capt. Stevens in that place ; but I 
am sensible here is a much greater Field for Speculation than 
in any part of New England with which we have ever been 
acquainted. 

I do not expect to be positively engaged in Business, 
short of 3 or 4 weeks ; therefore it is my earnest Desire that 
you write me directly to this place, pr. first mail after this 
comes to hand. Do not understand me that I am determined 
not to go to Vermont: I wish to convince myself where I 
can do best, in this line of Business. On this account, I 
cannot give you a direct Answer in this Letter. 

Do not forget to write and mention where my Father 
is, and what he is doing. With Sentiments of Esteem, 
I am, Sir, your humble Servant, 

Silas Brown, Jun. 

N. B. Compliments to Capt. Stevens. 

Note — Letter mailed at Albany, postage on same being 
123^ cents and went to Walpole P. O, 

2 



Onandaga, 20th April, 1806. . 
Dear Sir : 

I have omitted writing until a late period, but I 
hope you will excuse my negligence a second time. Since 
I have been in this Country, I have been employed as a Clerk 
at 20 Dollars pr. month and expect to continue so, until some 
opportunity more favorable offers for Business. I am now 
doing better than I have ever been before in any place 
whatever. But as I was so unfortunate about getting into 
Business last year, besides being to a great expense in going 
from one place to another, I assure you it drives me into 
pretty close Corners. 

On this account I wish to ask the favor of you not to 
call for the money on the Note I gave you last May, until 
Sept.r or Octr next. Yet I am sensible that the Land will be 
forfeited provided the money is not paid, when the Note is 
out — but if you can comply with this request and write me on 
the Subject I shall trust to your honor and rest as safe as if 
it were in writing. If you will put it off till the first Oct.r 
next, I will pay any pr. Ct. which you shall say under twenty 
from time the note becomes Due until the above money 
mentioned time. If you can do this it will greatly oblige me, 
and will be much more to my interest than perhaps what you 
know. I thought best not to fetch the Bond with me, 
therefore left it with John Robbins. If you comply with the 
request herein made, I wish you to let Mr. Robbins know 
it immediately after this comes to hand, that he need not be 
to the trouble to raise the money at the Bank. Uncle Aaron 
passed by here about seven weeks since, on his way to the 
Gennessee Country. I saw a man a few days since who told 
me that he had bought two Lots, excellent Land, in the same 
town where he lived. Please write me without delay. 
Sir, I am with Esteem, 

Yours etc., 

Silas Brown, Jun. 

Mailed at Moulins April 22 by way of Northampton and 
Brattleboro P. O. in Putney. Postage 17 cents. 



(state of Pennsylvania.) 
Beaver, Wednesday evening, Octr. 1, 1806. 
Dear Sir : 

I arrived in Pittsburg from Onandaga the 6th Septr., 
last, and have since been to the north part of the State of 
Ohio and New Connecticut, and returned back to this place, 
which is 30 miles down the Ohio River from its head. I shall 
leave this Town soon for Marietta — 200 miles from this place — 
from there I shall proceed to the Southward 2 or 300 miles 
and perhaps further. 

From the tenor of a Letter directed to my Father, 
dated at Onandaga in Aug. last, you must have been apprised 
of the Business I was then about to undertake antecedent to 
the Date of this Letter, as I requested him to communicate 
my intentions contained in that Letter, immediately after it 
came to hand. It is no small mortification to me that I could 
not return and settle my Affairs in New England before I 
engaged in this Expedition. But had I done that, this 
Opportunity must have escaped, which never could be obtained 
hereafter. Until about 20 Days previous to my Departure 
from the State of New York, I had not the least Idea of going 
to the Southwest nor of leaving that State — I had made 
Arrangements to be in Keene in the Course of this Fall, and 
of seeing you and several others with whom I am concerned. 
You will see by the Letter I wrote my Father, what my wishes 
were, respecting my Business with you— It is not my wish 
that you should be Injured by my Absence, one cent — have 
therefore requested him to disclose the whole Business to 
you, and hope it is completed before this time. If not, please 
to call on him for the perusal of the Letter and let the 
Business be done without reserve. 

I am sensible that I shall not escape without censure 
from almost every person in New Hampshire with whom I am 
acquainted, for engaging in the Pursuit now before me. This 
will undoubtedly lead to an inquiry what this pursuit is, and 
what my intentions are for going into the Southern States. 
All I can say is this : there are several Gentlemen in Company 
with me from the State of New York who are concerned in 
making a Settlement on a large tract of Land down the Ohio 
at a certain place which at present I must not mention. But 
this is not altogether the Object with me — a disclosure of any 
further Business will be imprudent at this time. Respecting 
my concerns in New England I have left property enough 



to settle all if rightly managed. The property is mentioned • 
in the Letter to my Father. I do not expect to return short 
of two or three years, and I flatter myself that you possess a 
spirit of Friendship enough to pay some Attention to the 
request made in that Letter, and not let my property be 
sacrificed in my absence. Should anything transpire in my 
Affairs that might invite your Attention, I hope you will attend 
to the Business, for which you shall receive a handsome 
Compensation for your trouble. I have not heard from the 
old Gentleman this long time. I wish to hear from him and 
my Brother Aaron at Boston. I shall consider it as a great 
favor if you will be so good as to write me directed to 
Marietta, as soon as this comes to hand, respecting them both 
and also every circumstance relative to my Business as before 
stated. This request granted will be extremely satisfactory, 
and confer a Favor on one who is your social Friend. 

Perhaps it would be entertaining to give you a general 
Description of the Country I have seen, together with the 
customs and manners of the people; but this would require 
several sheets, and therefore must be omitted on paper by 
mail. I will however mention some few particulars. 

The northern part of New Connecticut as far as I have 
seen is 106 miles N. N. W. of Pittsburg, and from best 
information about 100 S. W, of Presque Isle, and 200 miles in 
the same Direction from the Falls of Niagara. The Country, 
generally speaking, is very healthy, it being elevated much 
higher than that of the Gennesee, and yet it is equally as level. 
The inhabitants are principally New Englanders and emigrants 
from the southern States. 

The people are under the Government of the State of 
Ohio; and if we give Credit for the Disadvantages in new 
Countries, I must say that according to the best of my 
Judgment, they are the best informed people of any in the 
United States. 

Pittsburg is a place of much Business considering the 
size of the Town — the merchant Goods are all brought by 
land 310 miles from Philadelphia. Merchants in Lexington in 
the State of Kentucky are supplied with goods from Pittsburg 
freighted down the Ohio River. Goods are sold here at a 
most enormous price, excepting what are manufactured in the 
Country, such as Glass, Bar Iron, Furnaceware, Whisky, etc. 

Pittsburg stands on a point of land formed by the 
Junction of the Allegany and Monongahela Rivers, and head 



of the Ohio. It contains four hundred dwelling houses and 
about 2500 inhabitants. There are 40 public houses and 70 
or 80 stores. The public Buildings are four houses of public 
worship, a Market, a Courthouse and Goal. Shipping is built 
here, and sent down the Ohio of 400 tons burthen. As for 
anything more, it must be omitted until I write again. 
With sentimens of Esteem, I am, Sir, 
Your very Humb. Servt., 

Silas Brown, Jun, 

N. B. Do not fail to write me as before requested, for 
I am very anxious to hear from my Father's Family as well 
as my own Business. You will hear from me again by Letter 
in the course of next summer. Present my compliments to 
your Father and his Family respectively. In excellent health. 

Yours, etc., 

S. Brown. 

NOTE— Mailed in Pittsburg, October 7th, postage on 
same being twenty-five cents. Sent by way of Philadelphia 
and New York. 

Note on Outside — The Postmaster at Putney is requested 
to forward this Letter to Westmoreland the first " favorable 
opportunity." 

Natchez, March 7th, 1807. 
Dear Cousin : 

After a long and tedious passage of nearly 2000 
miles through the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers I arrived in 
this City the 7th Febry. last. I left Beavertown (Penn.) the 
5th day Dec. in company with 32 men and 4 Boats, bound for 
this Port, of which Col. Tyler of the State of New York had 
the command ; and notwithstanding all the Virginia mobs and 
military forces of the State of Ohio, we have with much fatigue 
and difficulty made our way through. 

Surely nothing has transpired within the limits of the 
United States since the American Revolution, which more 
justly deserves a place in history, than incidents which have 
occurred relative to the views and plans of Col. Burr. A full 
Journal of our voyage from Pittsburg to this place, would I 
presume be interesting and pleasing; but this would require 
tens oJ pages, and would be too expensive to communicate 
by mail ; I will, however, mention some particulars. 

December 11th I went from Marietta, 6 miles up the 



Muskingum River, to give orders for 14 or 15 Boats belonging 
to Mr. Blennerhassett, a Gentleman of Virginia, to go down 
the River that day to his Plantation, 13 miles below Marietta 
on the Ohio River. I returned to Marietta the same day and 
found the militia assembling for the purpose of seizing these 
Boats on their arrival at the mouth of the Muskingum. The 
Artillery was placed in the front of the town on the Western 
Bank of the Ohio ; and a keel-Boat with 10 or 12 well armed 
men sent one mile up the Muskingum, to take possession of 
the before-mentioned boats. By nine in the evening 11 boats 
were completely in possession of the militia ; and I was 
informed that if I tarried in the town that night, I certainly 
should be arrested on suspicion of being one of Burr's 
conspirators. This was between nine and ten in the evening. 
I then called for my horse, crossed the Muskingum, and rode 
13 miles down the Ohio, to Blennerhassett's Island where our 
boats lay. But how shall I express my feelings on my arrival ? 
At a silent hour of a gloomy night we must risk our lives and 
property on the waters of the Ohio, where nothing is heard 
but the hooting of Owls, the howling of Wolves, and the 
whoop of the Savage, on our right and our left ; not to flee 
from the hand of Justice, but to escape the hands of infamous 
Ruffians, Kenhaway Mobs and Robbers. And what added 
grief to the Scene, was to see a tender husband, (Mr. 
Blennerhasset), an affectionate Father and loving master 
followed to the River by his nearest relatives and friends, 
flying for a place of Reffuge from a wicked Banditti, and a 
prejudiced and unreserved Government of one State which 
had issued a State warrant to arrest and confine him in prison 
in case he did not find Bail in a sum of $50,000 for his 
appearance at the next Federal Court of the United States. 
Here Nature at midnight hour, called on us to mingle a tear 
with the departing friend. The Legislature of the State of 
Ohio, now sitting, spared no pains or expense to prevent our 
descending the river. The militia was called out and Guards 
placed on different points of the Ohio, viz, one at Marietta, 
one at Gallapolis, and one at Cincinnati — the two latter we 
passed unobserved. We arrived at the Falls of Ohio the 16th 
Dec. and put to shore a few minutes at Jeffersonville, but 
soon found it was better for us to be on water than on land. 
We immediately sought for pilots to conduct our Boats over 
the Falls ; but to our astonishment we accidentally heard that 
the pilots were bribed, not to conduct us over. Happy was it 

7 



for us, some of our men were excellent watermen, and had 
passed these Falls several times. Thus we pushed off and run 
the Falls in ten minutes, which are two miles in length. We 
arrived at the mouth of Cumberland River, in the State of 
Kentucky, Dec, 27th, at which place was Colonel Burr. The 
next day we set sail with 11 boats and about 100 men, and 
arrived at New Madrid in upper Louisiana Jan'y 1st. We 
tarried a few hours, then left the place, and descended the 
Mississippi about 600 miles to Bayou Pierre. On our arrival 
we found there was so much opposition to Burr's Expedition 
that we knew it impossible for us to proceed until an inves- 
tigation took place, and Col. Burr should be discharged by the 
Civil and Military Authorities of these Territories. Accord- 
ingly he went forward without hesitation, was conducted to 
Washington, the seat of Government of the Mississippi Ter- 
ritory, with military honor, was accused of high crimes and 
misdemeanors, tried by the Supreme Court, but the Jury did 
not find a bill against him. 

Col. Burr then requested the Court to give him a dis- 
charge on his recognizance ; but to this request the Court 
objected. He then wished the Court to grant him the liberty 
to return to his boat ; this request the Court granted, with the 
promise that he would return back to Washington the next 
day. On his arrival at the boats he assured us that he should 
not return to Washington but was going some other direction. 
It is reported here and generally believed, that he has since 
been taken at Fort Chambers, when on his way to Pensacola 
in West Florida, and is now sent to the city of Washington. 
Soon after our arrival here we were all arrested by the 
militia, were conducted to a convenient place in the city, a 
guard placed over us, and informed that the Governor of this 
Territory would wait on us the next day for an investigation 
to take place. 

Our boats in the Mississippi were seized, placed under 
an armed force and no man permitted to pass or repass. 

The next day Feb'y 11th, ^Gov. Williams and Col, Clai- 
borne came to our quarters, informed us the cause of our im- 
prisonment, which was being confederate with Col. Burr, 
The Governor then took a small Billet from his pocket which 
was found with a negro Boy in the cape of his coat said to be 
the handwriting of Col. Burr — the following is a true copy : 

" If you are together, keep together, and I will join you, 

8 



" tomorrow night ; in the meantime put All your arms in per- * 
" feet order. Ask the bearer no questions, but tell him all 

" you may think I wish to know he does not know 

" that this is from me nor where I am." 

" C. T. & D. F." " Feb. 9th." 

The original of the above note very much resembles 
the handwriting of Col. Burr ; but I believe he never wrote 
any such thing, nor was knowing to its being written. We 
were examined, the Governor, Col. Claiborne and others went 

to the River and searched our Boats They returned in a 

few hours, the guards were discharged and Col. Claiborne 

said that he was happy that no military stores were found in 
our possession, that we were no longer prisoners, but might 
take our property and dispose of it as we pleased. I approve 
of every lawful measure, both civil and military, that has been 
taken to investigate the plans of Aaron Burr. I recommend 
the conduct of the Governor of this Territory, at this critical 
time, and believe that whatever steps, relative to Burr's expe- 
dition, he has pursued were for the love he bears to his 
Country and the attachment he possesses to the Constitution 
and Laws of the United States. But what shall I say of Gov. 
Tiffin, of the State of Ohio (formerly a Methodist preacher) 
and several other characters in that part of the Country ? 
Here prudence bids me stop — I will write nothing about them — 
I can write no good. 

Altho' Mr. Jefferson in his message of Jan'y 22nd, 1807, 
has given us the title of fugatives, I believe Col. Burr and all 
of his associates (Wilkinson excepted) to be as friendly to the 
Government of the United States as Mr. Jefferson ever was, 
or ever will be. Why did Mr, Jefferson neglect to issue a 
proclamation till late in the Fall, when he was receiving com- 
munications almost every day during the whole Fall ? Look 
at Eton's deposition ! ! ! Why did he not publish the conver- 
sation that took place between him and Col. Burr, at the City 
of Washington, at the time such conversation took place, 
which by his own words it can be proved he neglected 
upwards of one year. Look at the conduct of Wilkinson at 
New Orleans, the arrests of Messrs, Bollman, Swartout, Ogden, 
etc., etc., by him and much more which I shall omit to mention. 
When we reflect on such management, what are we led to 
believe ? Does not every circumstance relative to the forego- 
ing, statements, prove that Burr's accusers were as well 
acquinted with the expedition in the West, as Burr himself ? 



Whatever Col. Burr's plans were, I believe Wilkinson to be 
the first instigator of, and guilty of every shameful intrigue 
and abuse, and far blacker crimes than Col. Burr or any other 
man in America whatever, I give this only as my opinion 
respecting the character of Wilkinson. Respecting my opinion 
of Col. Burr I refer you to a letter sent my father by mail 
from this place. 

Sir, I am. 
Sincerely yours, with sentiments of Rgard and Esteem, 

Silas Brown. 

Note — Postage on this letter was 34 cents. It reached 
New York June 11th. 



Hamochitto (Miss. Territory), Sept. 10th, 1807. 
Ephraim Brown, Esq., 

Dear Sir : 

Placed in a distant Country as I am among 
Strangers, nearly two thousand miles from relatives and 
acquaintances, and not having had the least information 
respecting them since June, 1806, a Letter from any of them 
would be received with Gratitude and my Anxieties greatly 
relieved at this time. I wrote you from Natchez the 7th 
March last, by a Major Smith of the State of New York, 
who sailed from New Orleans for Baltimore about the 10th of 
May, and requested him to forward the letter by mail, on his 
arrival at New York, which I think would not be later than 
the 15th of June. I wrote my Father from Natchez by mail 
the 19th of March ; also wrote him again by mail the 29th 
June, the latter of which I took the liberty to direct to your 
care. If the two former Letters arrived at the Post Office in 
Putney seasonably, the time has expired that I ought to have 
received answers to those letters. Letters will not be more 
than 45 days coming from you to me, provided they come reg- 
ularly by mail as they ought. But there are so many failures 
in the norteern mail, it is useless to calculate on any particular 
time of receiving letters or papers from any of the States. 

When I was about to engage in an Expedition to the 
South, I hastened to make it known to you through my father 
by a Letter, sent him, from Onandaga in the State of New 
York, which you may have seen. I pointed out explicitly how 
to dispose of the property left in his hands, also the Land at 

10 



Mountholly, and requested him to beg your assistance in the . 
Business. 

I have some times looked back with the deepest regret 
and greatest mortification, that instead of concerning myself 
in an Enterprise, the events of which were unknown, I did not 
return from Onandaga to New England, which woule have 
proved a Barrier against censure from all my Friends and 
Acquaintances. It is an unfortunate circumstance that I came 
to this Country with Col. Burr. In the Expedition I have lost 
nearly 500 dollars, $150 of which was cash in hand. As Burr 
was looked upon as a tyrant, a traitor and murderer, I am 
exposed to, and do meet with the frowns and cool treatment 
of some of the inhabitants of this Territory, merely because 
they say I am a Burrite and ought not to be encouraged in the 
Country. 

To particularize and attempt to point out the several 
reasons for my being led so far into the late Expedition, 
would swell this Letter to a number of Sheets and make it 
too tedious. Let it suffice for me to say that if ever I should 
have the good fortune to visit the Northern States, I can then 
state to you every particular so far as it relates to my concern 
in the Enterprise, the inducements that led me to this Country, 
the misfortunes and remorse under which I have struggled by 
ambitious pursuits, all which will remain fresh in my memory 
till the latest period of my age. 

I do not calculate to be in New England in a less term 
than three or four years, if I can live in this hot Climate. The 
Climate is very much against the northern people, during two 
three of the first years. Scarcely any can escape what the 
inhabitants here call a seasoning to the Country — I have not 
escaped myseif. The 7th July the fever attacked me and was 
so severe that it disqualified me for any kind of Business till 
the First of September. This sickness has been violent, and 
reduced me to a very low state of health — however I have so 
far recovered that I can now attend to Business without much 
difficulty. 

I think much of this Country as a Country for making 
property. There certainly is a field open in Louisiana for 
speculation : — Besides this agricultural and commercial Busi- 
ness is transacted with much greater profits than in the North- 
ern and Middle States. The raising of Cotton yields great 
gain to those who possess Slaves and plantations. 

True, the merchants here are getting rich very fast, and 

11 



trade if carried on to better advantage than in any place 
where I have ever been acquainted : — Yet I think I would em- 
ploy a Capital of any amount in making Cotton in preference 
to putting it into Merchandise. 

If you had your property in this Country you might add 
to it much faster than you can in any of the Northern States, 
either in raising cotton or any other branch of Business you 
might wish to pursue. Cotton is the staple commodity and 
always commands the cash — even before the crop is off the 
ground; the merchants in Natchez and New Orleans will 
advance Cash for this Article. But as there is a prospect of 
war between the United States aud Great Britain, we need not 
flatter ourselves here that agriculture, trade and commerce 
will flourish. A War with Britain would ruin the trade of the 
valuable Country; and we should feel the effects of it more 
perhaps than any other part of the Union. Not altogether in 
consequence of a stagnation in every line of Business, but it is 
to be feared that the Indians and Negroes would be exceed- 
ingly troublesome in all parts of these Territories. Even at 
the present day, if the Blacks alone were to raise a mutiny 
and conspire against the Whites, much damage would be done 
and the lives of many lost. 

Since I began this Letter, I have been summoned to 
attend the great trial of Aaron Burr and others^ at Richmond, 
(Virginia), who are indicted for high treason and misde- 
meanors This is an extremely unpleasant circumstance; and 
in consequence of a debilitated state of health, I have declined 
going. My Affidavit is taken and sent to Richmond ; stating 
my inability to attend, and a Commission sent for, which, if 
the Court will issue, will prevent my going ; otherwise my 
attendance there will be difficult to avoid, if my health will 
admit of a Journey so far. I will not fail to write from Rich- 
mond should I be there this Fall or Winter. I shall not pro- 
ceed any further to the northward, but return to this country 
as soon as I can be discharged. I have this day received a 
Letter from Col. Tyler dated Appelousas 29th August, inform- 
ing me of his late arrest, and that he is now on his way to 
Richmond, to answer a Bill for indictment for treason and a 
misdemeanor said to have been committed at Blennerhasset 
Island the 12th day of December last. When he was arrested 
he was urged by some of his most intimate friends to cross 
the line into the Spanish Dominions, but this he despised, 
which act of prudence I am happy to hear. 

12 



As to the character of Comfort Tyler and Israel Smithy 
esquires, who left the State of New York in August, 1806, I 
shall say nothing, for the want of room — I can only add that 
if the motives of every man concerned in the Expedition had 
been as pure as theirs, we should have met with much less 
trouble and difficulty, which we have unavoidably encountered, 
I am, Sir, with particular Regard, 

Yours, 

Silas Brown. 

P. S. In the foregoing I have mentioned nothing relative 
to the customs and manners of the people here, the climate, 
soil and produce of the Country nor of my Business since I 
have been in the Territory, For this information see my 
letter to my Father of June 29th, 1807. I am extremely anx- 
ious to hear from my Friends, particularly my Brother at 
Boston. I hope you will not fail to write immediately, on the 
receipt of this, directing to me at Natchez or New Orleans — 
the former place however will be preferred, my place of 
residence being 140 miles west of the latter. Present my 
best respects to your Father, his Family and all inquiring 
Acquaintances. 

I am. Dear Sir, with high Esteem, sincerely. 

Your very Humble Servant, 

Silas Brown. 

(Answer to Foregoing Letter.) 

Westmoreland, Nov. 19th, 1807. 
My Friend — 

I now do myself the pleasure to acknowledge 
the receipt of your favor dated the 10th of Sept. as also 
another of the 7th Maixh last. The former I answered, but 
as appears by the latter you did not receive my answer. 
Should this likewise miscarry I fear you will think me void of 
that friendship for you which I have always professed. 

What shall I say, my friend, concerning Burr's Expedi- 
tion ? It is a thing which has given me much uneasiness and 
anxiety ever since I saw a letter which you sent your Father 
before you set out from the State of New York. My impres- 
sions were at that time that you were concerned in the enter- 
prise, but I did then, and do now, hope you were deceived, 
and still I am sorry you were deceived. 

But what gives me the most concern is the high estima- 

13 



tion in which you hold Aaron Burr, while at the same time you 
so violently censure the Executive Authorities of the United 
States. True it is, Burr has been acquitted of the charges 
brought against him by Government, but in the eye of the 
public, I almost venture to say, in the opinion of every candid 
mind he is Guilty. To expatiate on this subject as I could 
wish would exceed the narrow bounds of a letter. I shall 
therefore omit it till I have the pleasure of seeing you, which 
I could hope might be very soon. 

With regard to the Country where you now reside, 
being a good place for Speculation, and the acquiring of prop- 
erty, I do not in the least doubt. But my good friend, how is 
property made there ? You will say by agriculture and com- 
merce, professions of the most laudable kind. I will grant 
they are in a State which gave birth to you and me. Here the 
buying and selling of poor defenseless human beings does 
not form our Commerce nor the using them like Beasts our 
Agriculture. 

Not even the least plausible excuse can be offered in 
favor of Slavery — I challenge it from any person whatever — 
By the peculiarity of their constitution, it seems as tho' the 
God of Nature designed that portion of the Globe included in 
the torrid zone for the people of color. Perhaps you will 
laugh at my Yankee principals, but I who am willing to put up 
contented with what can be got from honest industry shall 
never be laughed out of them. I have been taught from my 
cradle to despise Slavery and will never forget to teach my 
children, if any I should ever have, the same lesson, for, 

" 'Tis Heaven's high gift, 'tis Nature's great decree 
That none be Slave whom God himself made free." 

Man, who is born for liberty, can never reconcile him- 
self to servitude ; your prediction, therefore, as expressed in 
your letter, should there be a War between England and the 
United States, were well founded. I not only believe as you 
do, that there would be much to be feared by whites from the 
blacks in the Western country, in the case of a war ; but 
should also rejoice to have them rise upon their oppressors, 
and if possible make themselves free. 

Soon after your Father made known to me the contents 
of your letter to him respecting some Business you wished 
me to transact, I called on Mr. Robbins, who settled the de- 
mand I hold against you by giving his own obligation. I gave 

14 



him a Deed of the Mt, Holly land, and took a Bond running 
to you, date 7th March, 1807, conditioned as follows : 

That if Robbins shall make out and deliver to you a 
good and sufficient Quit Claim Deed of the aforesaid Land 
within 18 months from the date of the Bond, provided you 
first within that time pay him what he paid me for you and all 
other legal demands which he then held against you, then to 
be void otherwise, etc. This I before stated in a letter in 
answer to yours of March 7th, I also then stated respecting 
the other Business which you wished me to attend to which, 
as it now strikes my mind, was that nothing further was done, 
as your Father did not fully comply with the request in your 
letter, so as to put it in my power to do anything further than 
I did. 

You say you very much desire to hear from your brother 
Aaron, I wish it was in my power to gratify you respecting 
him ; but I cannot in full, not having seen him since last May 
when I saw him in Boston. He then informed me he lived 
there and was in a store in Broad Street. Your father's 
family I frequently see, and believe them all in good health. 
I am with esteem, your friend, 

E. Brown, Jun. 



Hamochitto, Octr. 26th, 1807. 
Dear Sir : 

Your favor of July 29th came to hand about the 
first of Octr., which contained the first syllable I have received 
from any of my friends since I left Onondaga. I am happy to 
hear that your Father's family and mine are in good health, 
I wrote you Septr. 10th expecting you had not received mine 
of the 7th March last. Till I can make you a better compen- 
sation, accept my grateful thanks for your attention to my 
Business in my absence. 

It appears by your letter that you must have miscon- 
strued a part of my letter to you, and also of that to my 
Father. You observe that " they both seem to be as much 
enveloped in mystery as your former ones." I will endeavor 
to be a little more explicit. Some time in the month of 
August, 1806, Comfort Tyler, Esq., of Onondaga in the State of 
New York, told me he was closing all his Business in that part 
of the country, and was about to engage in an Expedition 
which he thought of great importance to those who engaged 

15 



in it, it being of that kind, that some of the first men in the 
United States had taken an active part and were very much 
interested in the concern. He mentioned General Dayton of 
New Jersey, and several other Gentlemen of rank as being 
the principals concerned. During the conversation I drew 
from him enough to convince me that something of magnitude 
was going on in the West, conducted by men of abilities. He 
spoke very much in favor of the undertaking and appeared to 
be deeply interested himself. He asked me if I could engage 
in the enterprise, and set out on the Journey with him, which 
would be in the course of 10 or 15 days ? I told him it was 
quite a new thing to me, and that my concerns there, and in 
New England were such, that I thought it would be impossible 
for me to embark in such an Expedition. He seemed to be 
very anxious for me to say that I would arrange my Business 
and be ready to begin the Journey with him. I told him I 
would see him again in the course of five or six days and con- 
verse with him further on the subject. 

I went to Maulins the next day, or next day but one ; I 
communicated the thing to a number of men of respectability 
and good information, and asked their opinion respecting the 
Enterprise. 

They said they knew little or nothing of the nature of 
the Expedition, but if Col. Tyler had engaged in it, they 
thought there was no risque. The people at Onandaga all 
spoke highly favorable of the object, and a number of Gentle- 
men of families told me they should engage in the enterprise 
and follow after, as soon as they could arrange their Business 
and leave their families. I found that many men of respecta- 
bility and good information were much taken with the object, 
and were engaging in the Expedition. I saw Col. Tyler a few 
days after I had the first conversation with him, who appeared 
to be very friendly, (as he has always proved so to be through 
the whole scene) and he conversed more favorably than ever. 
He told me that Maj. Israel Smith of Cayuga had engaged in 
the Expedition, and would commence their Journey for the 
Ohio River in a few days. 

A few days previous to this I had a conversation with a 
Mr. Thompson of Onandaga, a young attorney, who was 
making preparations for the Journey, it being near at hand. 
He said that from what he could learn, it was a great object 
to those young men who volunteered and went on with 

16 



Messrs. Tyler and Smith, and as for his part, no person what- . 
ever could prevail on him not to go. Viewing all this, and 
seeing so many men of abilities engaging in the pursuit, I knew 
there must be some grand object in view. I therefore con- 
cluded to settle my Business as far as I could, Collect all the 
money I could, send a letter to my Father pointing out how I 
wished to have my affairs settled there, and engage in the 
Expedition, knowing I could withdraw when I pleased. I 
made no delay in getting ready for the Journey. Col. Tyler 
left Onandaga on Wednesday, the 27th day of Aug. 1806. I 
left the same place, alone, the next day about two in the after- 
noon. I arrived at Bath, in the County of Stuben, State of 
New York, on the headwaters of the Susquehanna River on 
Saturday afternoon (August 30th) where I found Messrs. 
Tyler and Smith. 

We tarried here till the next day, about 10 o'clock, when 
we were joined by Mr. Thompson. Our party consisted of six 
men, viz : Col. Tyler, Maj. Smith, Mr. Thompson, two laboring 
men and myself. We left Bath the same day for Pittsburg, 
300 miles Southwest. We had a very disagreeable Journey 
down the Allegheny River, having a great part of the way no 
road ; nor could we get entertainment. 

Soon after we left Bath we overtook a Judge Miller, of 
Tyoga Co., State of New York, who was on his way to Pitts- 
burg, from thence to the Falls of Ohio. But he knew nothing 
of the Expedition. We arrived at Pittsburg Saturday after- 
noon, the 6th day of Septr., 1806, and stayed there till the 
10th, when it was found necessary for some person to go to 
New Connecticut and the north part of the State of Ohio. 
This I took upon myself. Septr. 10th we all left Pittsburg 
together. Judge Miller and Mr. Thompson went to Kentucky. 
Messrs. Tyler and Smith accompanied me 30 miles to Beaver- 
town, and there made a stop for the purpose of Boat building. 
I pursued my Journey, accomplished the Business I went on, 
and returned to Beavertown the 29th Septr. About this time 
I wrote you a letter. Maj. Smith informed me that Mr. 
Thompson had been back from Kentucky, was in high spirits, 
and that everything was operating in our favor. I had not 
been back many days before I commenced another Journey 
to Waterford, Lake Erie and Presque Isle. From Presque Isle 
I went to Pittsburg, where I arrived the 6th day of Novbr. I 
did not tarry here long, but went immediately to Beavertown, 



17 



saw Messrs. Tyler and Smith, who were in high spirits. Mr. 
Tyler showed me a letter he had received from Gen. Dayton 
of New Jersey, which gave me much satisfaction. I saw sev- 
eral other letters he had received from some of the principal 
men concerned in the Expedition. The whole tenor of these 
letters was bent upon an agricultural and commercial inter- 
course. As it was necessary for some person to be at Pitts- 
burg, I stayed here but a few days, before I returned, and 
tarried there till the 4th day of December. 

While I was in Pittsburg Judge Miller returned from 
Kentucky. I met him one day in the Street. He told me he 
wished to have a conversation with me if I would call at his 
room that evening ? I answered in the affirmative and ac- 
cordingly called. 

He asked me several questions, and said he regretted 
not having known of the Expedition before he went to Ken- 
tucky, which, if he had, he certainly would have joined us. 
He appeared to be much in favor of the object, and expressed 
a wish to be concerned in the Enterprise. He mentioned sev- 
eral circumstances relative to Col. Burr's trials in Kentucky, 
spoke of his acquittals with honor, and conversed highly favor- 
able of the Expedition. I spent the evening with him and 
retired. I continued in Pittsburg till the 4th day of Decbr., at 
evening, when I left the place and went to Beavertown by 
water. I arrived the next morning and found about 30 men 
assembled for the^purpose of descending the river. 

After engaging in this Expedition, and previous to going 
on to the waters of Ohio and Mississippi, every object in view 
relative to our undertaking looked fair and promising ; every 
information whether public or private (excluding all News- 
paper communications) gave me to understand that the expedi- 
tion was honorable and not hostile to the Government. 

The foregoing statement is correct. Although it is not 
so extensive and replete as it might have been. I have ex- 
cluded many circumstances, which, perhaps, at last would 
amount to no more than what has already been said. I now 
leave you to judge whether these circumstances mentioned in 
the above written statement were sufficent to induce me to 
descend^the Ohio with a respectable party of men. True, it 
was in my power to withdraw from the party when I pleased, 
But I placed"the greatest confidence in Tyler and Smith, being 
assured that they would not have engaged in any unlawful 



18 



Enterprise, or take a part in any act that would violate the 
Laws and Constitution of the United States. 

A complete Journal of our passage through the Ohio 
and Mississippi Rivers to the city of Natchez, interspersed 
with the geographical sketch of the adjoining countries, and 
an account of those Rivers, would be far more interesting than 
the preceeding. But my design is to lay before you a state- 
ment of the particulars, as far as they relate to the late un- 
happy Expedition, which took place in the Fall of 1806, that 
you may have a correct idea of my views and intentions, and 
of the inducements that led me to a southern clime, and that 
you may not place a misconstruction upon the contents of my 
former letters. I shall, therefore, only mention a few particu- 
lars that took place while on the Western waters. 

The 5th day of Decbr. last, we all went on board, and 
began our voyage down the Ohio. Our little fleet consisted of 
4 boats and 32 men. Three of our Boats arrived at Blenner- 
hasset Island Decbr. 8th, the other being left about 30 miles 
behind in consequence of running on to a large Bar in the 
River ; however, she got off the next day and joined the other 
Boats. At this time and place, treason and misdemeanors are 
said to have been committed by some of the persons who 
have been indicted at Richmond for those crimes. 

But if those crimes were committed here, then I confess 
that I know nothing of the nature of treason or a misde- 
meanor. True, I was absent a part of the time that the Boats 
lay at the Island. But while I was there all was peace and 
harmony ; no person whatever assumed any military appear- 
ance, neither had we military stores with us, as has been 
falsely and publicly represented. All persons, whether neigh- 
bors or strangers, were at perfect liberty to pass to and from 
the Island when they pleased ; no guards were placed on the 
Island, neither was it illuminated, which old Governor Tiffin 
of the State of Ohio wrote to Mr, Jefferson was the case. But 
this is absolutely false; and were I to have an opportunity at a 
suitable time and place, would not hesitate to tell him so myself. 
These aspersions, together with many others, have taken rise 
from men of the lowest Class, who will descend to the meanest 
of things to gain their points, notwithstanding whatever Office 
they may hold, and have not only caused Burr's Expedition to 
appear a more glaring and wicked undertaking, in the eyes of 
the public in general, but have been the consequence of stamp- 



19 



ing the characters of honest, well-meaning men with infamy 
and disgrace. I returned from Marietta to the Island on the 
night of the 10th of Decbr, at a very late hour. The men 
having had information, this day, that the Kanhawa Militia 
and Wood County Mobs were to be at the Island early the 
next morning for the purpose of exhibiting their True Patri- 
otism and taking us with force and arms — it was thought ex- 
pedient to be out of their way, and, if possible, not to engage 
in any contest with such a low, mean set of beings. We all 
went on Board about one o'clock at night, and took Blenner- 
hassett with us. We found that the whole State of Ohio was 
against us, and was taking every method to prevent our de- 
scending the River. 

We were determined not to be taken, if we could possi- 
bly pass the Militia that was stationed at different places on 
the banks of Ohio, unnoticed ; however, we met with no great 
difficulty, for our men rowed night and day, and we descended 
the River with such speed that the Militia expecting us to be 
two or three days passage up the River, were not so much on 
their guard, and the thing was so managed that we passed all 
the guards in the night unobserved. We arrived at the mouth 
of Cumberland River, in Kentucky, the 29th of Decbr., at which 
place was Col. Burr. The whole body of men, including all 
those with Col. Burr, did not exceed 100. We lay here nearly 

two days and then put off came to Bayou Pierre, on the 

east margin of the Mississippi River, the 12th day of Jany., 1807. 

Here we found that the people of the whole Country 
were greatly alarmed, and the Territory in arms. About 350 
of the Militia were ordered out and stationed at Natchez. A 
detachment of cavalry, consisting of the horse and foot, was 
sent to Bayou Pierre, and another to the mouth of Coles 
Creek, about 20 miles below. We had information of this and 
moved our Boats to the other side of the River. Wilkinson 
had sent the United States Bomb-ketch and two Gun Boats to 
Natchez, which lay abreast in the River at an equal distance, 
so that no Boats nor Vessels could pass without permission, 
and an embargo laid on all vessels at New Orleans. We lay 
opposite to Bayou Pierre and the mouth of Coles Creek nearly 
4 weeks. Col. Burr gave himself up to the Civil authority of 
this Territory, an extra Court was called, he was indicted for 
high crimes and misdemeanors ; but the Jury found no Bill 
against him. The Court then refused to discharge him on his 



20 



recognizance. But he was determined not to be trifling with 
them any longer. He came to our Boats the 5th day of Febry. 
in the afternoon ; told us his situation, and that he was re- 
solved to leave the Territory. He stayed about two hours, 
then left the Boats in a Skiff with two men and a servant, and 
went up the River. This is the last time I saw Col. Burr, We 
arrived at Natchez the 7th of Febry. The men soon dispersed 
like clouds before the wind. Some returned home and some 
are in different parts of this country. 

I shall now take the liberty to make some remarks on 
certain sentences contained in your letter, and endeavor to 
point out wherein it appears that you have placed a wrong 
construction upon certain expressions in my letters. You say 
I "very much criminate Wilkinson and Eaton," 'Tis true — 
and where is the man who knows the late unprincipled con- 
duct of Wilkinson in the affair of Burr who will not criminate 
and look upon him as a man whose assurances can never be 
confided in ? That Wilkinson is a soldier and a brave General 
I do not deny. But what was his conduct last Fall, about the 
the time he went to the Sabine, and even at the Sabine ? And 
after he returned to New Orleans, he did not say that he was 
going to " play the Devil," which he afterward did to perfection. 

It was my intent when I began this letter to have given 
a particular account of the character and conduct of Wilkin- 
son ; but for certain reasons I shall omit doing this at present. 
Whatever I have written respecting him in any letter, let it 
stand — I will never blot it out. As to Eaton's Deposition, it 
may be pretty correct; and yet I look upon it as mere stuff; 
but wherein I censure Eaton, is that he neglected making this 
Deposition afterwards of one year, which by his own state- 
ment is a fact. 

You mention one sentence in my letter to you, and 
another in a letter to my Father, that does not carry the idea 
which it appears you have drawn from them ; and ask " What 
does all this mean when put together ? " Is it possible that 
you should think me to ever have been in the service of Burr, 
and to still continue in his service ? 

When I engaged in the Expedition, it was a mere vol- 
untary act of my own; I was under obligations to no man 
concerned in the Enterprise whatever, nor have I ever been, 
and was in my power to withdraw when I thought proper. 
My saying that Wilkinson in my opinion was guilty of far 

21 



greater and blacker crimes, etc., and that I, with a number of 
enterprising young men, and men of talents, have been led 
into this Business and have been deceived, does not convey 
the least idea, which I can discover, that I have ever been in 
the service of Burr, These two passages contained in my 
letters of March last, is what I allude to in the misconstruction 
of *a part of these letters. You say that my " hinting of the 
Government of the U. S. and all the heads of Departments 
surprises you." But depend upon it. Sir, there have many 
more men winked at Burr's Expedition than you are aware of, 
and men, too, whom you would little suspect. If ever I should 
have the pleasure of seeing you, I will convince you of positive 
facts, which, if I were to write you, you would perhaps not be- 
lieve. I shall therefore close writing anything more on the 
subject. 

In consequence of bad health, I have been more than a 
week in writing this letter, I have been very sick writh a fever 
since I wrote you Septbr, 10th — it is now the 4th day of 
Novbr, — and I am beginning a little to Business, I flatter my- 
self that when it begins to be cold weather, I shall be free 
from this debilitated state of health. I expect to tarry in this 
Territory 'till sometime next Summer, and perhaps until the 
ensuing Fall. 

Sir, I am with particular Respect, 

Your very humb, Servt, 

Silas Brown, 

N. B. Always Direct your letters to Natchez. 



Laurel Hill (Miss, Territory) 

Jan'y. 18th, 1808. 
Dear Sir : 

Enclosed is a note of $10 signed by John Robbins, 
also a letter to my brother Aaron, supposed to be in Boston 
when written ; but by a recent date it appears that he has left 
that place, I hope you will be so obliging as to learn where 
he resides and forward it by mail direct to him. I have an- 
other important favor to ask, which I fear will not only weary 
your patience, but induce you to consider me as taking these 
liberties which no Gentleman would presume. But knowing 
you have been apprised of my situation, and being acquainted 
with my concerns in New Hampshire and Vermont, and having 

22 



placed confidence in your fidelity, I am under the disagreeable 
necessity of making these solicitations. 

It is with the deepest regret that I have to express my 
feelings on the unpleasant circumstances of leaving my Busi- 
ness in the Northern States, and now having reluctantly to 
call my friends to attend to such Business as ought to have 
been brought to a close by myself. It appears by your letter 
of July 29th, 1807, that John Robbins became accountable to 
you for my note of eighty-one dollars and interest, and that 
you have deeded the land at Mount Holly to him, by his giving 
a Bond running to me to deed said Land to me, provided I 
settled with him within eighteen months from the date of 
said Bond, which was given in the month of March, 1807. 
From another letter received from my Father a few days 
since, I understand that Mr. Robbins says his demands are 
one hundred and fifty dollars. The following statement will 
show what his demands are : 

My Note dated May 15th, 1805 $40.00 

Interest on ditto, 3 years 7,20 

Note dated Oct. 8th, 1805 12.00 

Interest on ditto 2 years and 7 mos 1.86 

Bal. of cash in my hands received of Mr, Reed... 76.88 

Expense at his house as per agreement 5.00 

$142.94 

Deduct his Note and interest 11.95 

$130.99 

By the above it appears that there are one hundred and 
thirty dollars and ninety-nine cents due Mr. Robbins, provided 
none of the property that I left in New England has been 
appropriated to meet these demands. I left with him a pair 
of Oxen, worth about forty-five dollars, also a young horse in 
the care of my Father, worth sixty dollars, which I requested 
him to remit to Mr. Robbins, But I cannot learn how this 
property has been disposed of. Allowing Mr. Robbins pays 
you one hundred dollars, which must be added to the above 
Balance, I shall then owe him two hundred and thirty dollars 
and ninety-nine cents, provided he has never received any of 
the property that I left. The Land certainly is worth two 
hundred and seventy-five dollars, and perhaps more. How- 
ever, I am willing that Mr. Robbins should have the Land at 
a fair price, admitting he satisfies your demand, and accounts 

23 



to you for whatever the Balance may be over, should there be 
any ; amd if he has received any other property, he must 
account to you for the same. But I have no idea of his secur- 
ing the Land to himself, and still to retain my obligation in 
his hands. I therefore earnestly solicitate your attention in 
this Business, and if possible affect a settlement with him — 
take up the Receipt which I gave him on Mr. Reed's obliga- 
tions for collection at Pittstown, also my Notes, and either 
destroy them or forward them to me by mail, directed to 
Natchez, Should you grant me the requests herein made and 
bring this Business to a close, if after a just Settlement any 
thing should be due me. let Mr. Robbins be accountable to you 
and the residue remain in your hands. There ought to be $40 
or $50 out of the Land exclusive of any other property. How- 
ever, settle that matter on the best terms you can. The money 
which I received of Mr. Reed amounted to Three hundred 
and twenty-six dollars and eighty-eight cents. Deducting Two 
hundred and fifty dollars which Mr. Robbins acknowledged to 
you he had received, there will remain Seventy-six dollars and 
eighty-eight cents as appears in this statement. I shall write 
to him on the subject, and before a settlement shall be made, 
it will be necessary that you should peruse that Letter as the 
whole Business will be more explicitly stated. It is probable 
he may produce several Receipts which I have given him for 
sundry obligations to collect. But as they could not be col- 
lected, I do not consider myself accountable for any Receipt 
whatever, except the one given on Mr. Reed's obligations. I 
did not receive so much money on those Notes as I expected 
when I left New Hampshire ; my letter, however, to Mr, 
Robbins will state the reasons. 

I am aware that you have no propensity to embarrass 
your mind with other men's Business, nor to profit yourself 
thereby. But you see the situation in which I am placed, and 
that for me to expend 400 or 500 dollars in the course of the 
present year merely to visit my friends and bring those little 
concerns to a close which I left unsettled, would injure my own 
private interests more perhaps than any person is aware. 
My expenses for these two years past have been too much 
already. I am doing very well, considering the situation I was 
in when I came to the Country, and have fair prospects of 
doing still better. All I have to fear are the diseases of this 
scorching climate. 



24 



I have just received a Letter from a Gentleman in 
Natchez, informing me that a few days since he forwarded a 
letter to me from that Office which was postmarked at some 
town in New Hampshire. The Bearer says he lost it on his 
way from Natchez to this place. As I have never received but 
one Letter from you since I left Onandaga, and from every 
other circumstance that I can learn, this letter must have been 
from you. 

I regret extremely that after informations being con- 
veyed from so great a distance, it should not only be lost, but 
exposed to I know not whom. I shall request the Post Master 
at Natchez, to deliver no Letters in future, directed to me with- 
out my order. You will please to write soon after the receipt 
of this, directed to me at Natchez. 

I have the pleasure to be. Sir, your most obdt. and very 
Humble Servant, 

Silas Brown. 

NOTE — Postage on this letter was 50 cents from Natchez. 



(Copy of Answer to Silas Brown's Letter of January 18, 1808.) 

Westmoreland, April 18 th, 1808. 
Dear Sir : 

I now have before me your letters dated as follows, 
viz : March 7th, 1807 ; Sept. 10th, 1807 ; Octr. 21st, 1807, and 
Jan'y. 18th, 1808. By which it appears you have since you left 
your native State passed thro' a great variety of scenes. A 
great part of your letters have afforded me much pleasure, 
but they contain some things which have frequently drawn 
from me an anxious sigh on account of the critical situation in 
which you seemed to be placed as touching the Burr Insurrec- 
tion. As it would be almost impossible for me to place on 
paper all my ideas respecting the Burr Business, I shall omit 
till I see you, and shall drop the subject by observing that I 
hope you did not know his real intentions when you entered 
on the expedition. 

It appears you have received my letter giving an account 
of my proceedings with Mr. Robbins about the Mt. Holly 
Land. At the time I gave him a deed of the Land I requested 
him to give up the obligations, but he refused, adding that he 
did not wish for the Land any other way than only to make 

25 



you interested in having those demands settled. Supposing 
you would settle them in the course of the time mentioned in 
the Bond, I took of him, and feeling anxious to get the money 
for your $81 Note, I negotiated the Business as stated to you 
in my letter of the 29th of July, 1807. 

Since the receipt of your favor dated Jan'y 18th, I have 
called on Mr. Robbins several times and stated to him your 
request respecting a settlement, but to no purpose. It is, 
therefore, my opinion that the only mode that can be adopted 
in order to obtain the land is to pay him your Notes, etc., 
within the 18 months as mentioned in the Bond. As to the 
Horse and Oxen, neither of them has ever been appropriated 
to discharge any of your debts unless you owed your father 
when you left this place. I made known to him your wishes 
expressed in a letter you wrote some time ago about this 

property, but he objected to give them up undoubtedly 

he will make a statement to you, as he assured me he would. 

I now enclose you the Note which you gave me, suppos- 
ing you would wish to receive it. 

As to news, I do not know as I can tell you any more 

than we have in the Publick Prints everything here jogs 

on in the old way your letter to your brother Aaron I 

forwarded to him in Marlborough, (Mass.), where I understand 
he resides. Your and your father's families are in good 
health — and I do not know but I ought to add mine are too, 
as I have since I saw you become the owner of a wife and child. 

You will, my dear Sir, write me occasionally, as nothing 
would afford me more pleasure than to hear from you. Do 
be so obliging as to tell me what you are doing. 

In great haste, I remain. 

Yours respectfully, 

Ephraim Brown, Junr. 



Laurel Hill (M. T.) Feby. 16th, 1808. 
Dear Sir : 

Before this reaches you, you will probably have 
received mine of the 18th of January, covering a letter to my 
Brother, also a Note of hand signed by John Robbins, for the 
sum of ten dollars and interest. By a statement made in that 
letter, you will see that I have calculated interest on the Notes 
therein mentioned to the 15th of May next, it being a difficult 

26 



Season for the mail to progress with its usual rapidity. You 
may have observed an error in the amount of the enclosed 
Note, which did not occur to me till after the letter was sealed. 
Instead of three years and three months, interest ought to be 
reckoned at four years and three months, as will appear from 
the date of the Note. 

Whatever has been mentioned in any of my letters to 
you being very inconsiderable relative to the most important 
places on the Ohio and Mississippi, a description of those 
Rivers, the customs and manners of the people in these re- 
gions ; the climate, soil, common produce and natural growth 
oi^ this Country, I will endeavor to throw a little light on all. 
Pittsburg, in the State of Pennsylvania, 310 miles west of 
Philadelphia, stands on a point of land formed by the conflu- 
ence of the Alleghany and Monongahela Rivers, in the heart of 
the healthy fertile Country. It contained in 1806, 450 houses, 
consisting chiefly of Brick, 42 of which were public houses of 
entertainment. Pittsburg is a very lively place for Bitsiness, 
and if we except European and West India Goods, which are 
transported by land from Philadelphia across the Alleghany 
Mountains to this place, it may with safety be said to afford 
one of the cheapest markets in America. The merchants and 
mechanics in Pittsburg possess as great a share of industry 
and close attention to Business as those of any place within 
the circle of my acquaintance. At the Junction of the Alle- 
ghany and Monongahela is the head of one of the most beau- 
tiful Rivers in America — the Ohio — if we consider the height, 
fertility and safety of its Banks, and the numerous advantages 
it opens to an extensive infant country. 

One hundred and seventy-eight miles Southwest of 
Pittsburg is Marietta, in the State of Ohio, situated on the north 
bank of the Muskingum River, fronting the waters of Ohio on 
the east. (The Ohio River at Marietta runs nearly southwest. 
The Muskingum from northwest to southeast.) The country 
here appears to be high and remarkably level, with a pure, 
wholesome air, and the soil in point of richness inferior to 
none that I have ever seen. No place in my knowledge ex- 
ceeds Marietta for pleasantness : The streets are well laid out, 
the buildings neat and elegant ; and what adds beauty to the 
town, is the gentle current of the Ohio gliding along on the 
east, while the waters of the Muskingum are rolling in on the 
south. There are several other towns of note on the Ohio. 
Galiapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, etc., are all places of some 

27 



consequence. Louisville, in the State of Kentucky, stands on 
the Southern Bank of the Ohio, a little above the Falls. It 
contains about 250 houses, built principally with Brick, and is 
in a flourishing state. The principal Rivers that fall into the 
Ohio from the State of Kentucky are the Big Sandy, Kentucky, 
Green, Salt, Licking and Cumberland. Cumberland River in- 
terlocks with the northern Branch of Kentucky, and rolling 
round the other arms of Kentucky, among the mountains, in a 
southern course 100 miles, then in a southwestern course for 
about 250 more, finds the Ohio 413 miles below the Falls. 

Mr. Morse says the Ohio is the most beautiful River on 
earth, and in fact I have no right to dispute him. The dis- 
tance, however, from Pittsburg to its mouth is not so much as 
is stated in some of the former editions of his geography. By 
the best and most experienced navigators it is found not to 
exceed 1102 miles ; and from the mouth of the Ohio to New 
Orleans is reckoned at 1100 miles. So that the distance from 
Pittsburg to New Orleans by water is 2202 miles. But by land 
it is only 1400 miles. This distance, from best information, I 
believe to be pretty correct. New Madrid is situated on the 
Western Bank of the Mississippi, 70 miles below the mouth of 
the Ohio. This is a pleasant village, but appears to be on the 
decline. From New Madrid to Natchez, which is upwards of 
700 miles, there are no places of consequence, and but few 
settlements of any kind. 

The city of Natchez, 300 miles above New Orleans, 
stands on a high Bluff, about a quarter of a mile east of the 
Mississippi. There are about 50 houses, however, under the 
Hill at the landing. These are also attached to the city. 
Natchez is a very brisk place for Business, and appears to be 
rapidly increasing, both as to trade and improvements in build- 
ing. But at present, the buildings, generally speaking, are low 
and mean. There is not a house in the whole place that may 
be said to be elegant. The citizens experience a great incon- 
venience from the want of good water. The river water, 
which resembles that of a Clay-pit, is the best and only made 
use of. They pay from 25 to 37 >^ cents per Barrel for this 
muddy water, which is brought to their doors by poor people, 
on Carts or Drays. 

The Mississippi River is the largest in North America. 
It stretches along from north to south a distance of about 
4250 miles, including its bends and windings ; some accounts 



28 



say 4500 miles ; and in several places, between the mouth of 
the Ohio and New Orleans, it is said to be three miles wide 
within its Banks. But its general width is from 1 to 2 miles. 

I can compare the Banks of the Mississippi to nothing 
but a loaf of sugar, which, being dipped in water, then placed 
in the air, dissolves and tumbles to pieces. Such are the banks 
of this River. They are constantly falling in, and whole 
acres, covered with heavy timber, are known to have been lost 
in the Mississippi by this immersion. 

I have seen the most stately trees floating down the 
river, apparently torn from the earth by their roots by some 
terrible hurricane or whirlwind with their branches as lively 
and green as the forest in the month of June. From the 
smallest sapling to the loftiest Cyprus, trees are hurried down 
and lost ia the Gulf of Mexico. It is surprising to see what 
an immense channel this River cuts in the earth through one 
of the most fertile Countries perhaps in the whole world. 
"While the traveler reflects on these romantic scenes, he is 
ready to acknowledge the works of a Supreme Being when 
viewing this River with its powerful waters rolling down its 
channel in majestic appearance, overlooked from the east in 
many places by high Bluffs and lofty Cliffs, which seem to 
have been formed by some dreadful shock in nature. 

However, incredible it may appear to some, it is certain 
that in some seasons an extensive tract of Country bordering 
on the Mississippi and extending back from the river to the 
west, a distance of 50 or 60 miles, is in a state of inundation a 
great part of the year. From the great quantities of water 
this River receives from the east and west, it is natural to 
suppose it impossible for this channel to contain all those 
waters. And so it is Being denied a passage to the sea through 
the Mississippi, they rush over its Banks, are spread over a 
part of the plains of Louisiana, and in other places are formed 
into Lakes. It is surprising to see the difference between low 
and high water at Natchez, 300 miles above tide water. This 
difference is upwards of 40 feet perpendicular, and had I not 
have been a witness to this, I could scarcely have given it 
credit, however well it might have been authenticated. This 
River, as well as the Ohio, is extremely crooked ; so much 
that in descending either, the navigator many times fancies 
himself returning to Pittsburg, instead of pursuing his voyage 
to New Orleans. As to the climate of this country, it is ex- 

29 



tremely warm 4 or 5 months in the year, 3 of which the heat 
is almost insupportable, viz : June, July and August. The 
weather during the winter months is pleasant and agreeable, 
yet it is subject to very sudden changes, so much that a person 
will want different apparels the same day. There are gener- 
ally frosts in the month of November sufficiently to kill the 
leaves of the woods, which fall in that month and December. 
The inhabitants speak of winter. But for my part I have 
seen but very little appearance of winter since I have been in 
this Country. It is a rare thing to see snow or ice here. In 
January, 1807, the snow fell 2 or 3 inches, which lay on the 
ground about 48 hours, and was accompanied with some cold 
weather. The oldest people here say this was the severest 
winter ever known in the Country. The 27th of January last 
we had a little snow that covered the ground about an inch, 
and lay perhaps 24 hours. Excepting this, I have not seen a 
particle of snow this winter, nor not more than two or three 
nights cold enough to freeze any liquid whatever. Fruit trees 
are beginning to blossom, and frequently the Peach tree blooms 
in the month of January. But the people here say that in 
consequence of a hard winter all vegetation is extremely back- 
ward, Gardens, if properly attended to, would afford a plenty 
of vegetables, such as Cabbage, Lettuce, Green Peas, Beans, 
etc., the whole year. But this necessary Branch of cultivation 
is almost totally neglected in a Country where it might arrive 
as near the bounds of perfection, perhaps, as any place on the 
Continent. The Summers are so excessively hot that Grass 
will not come to any degree of perfection ; yet Cattle, Horses 
and Sheep are not unsupplied with a good substitute for Grass 
and Hay summer and winter. They live chiefly in the woods 
during the year on the reed-cane (by some termed canebrake) 
which grows spontaneously through the whole Country, and 
even as far north as the State of Kentucky, I have seen the 
reed cane 8 or 900 miles to the north of this. But it does not 

grow so large in that climate as it does in lower latitudes 

I have seen it on the banks of the Mississippi 30 feet high. 

There is not a Country perhaps in the Universe that can boast 
of a greater variety of timber than this. The principal is 
Cypress, Sassafras, Walnut, Hickory, Poplar, Red and White 
Oak, Live Oak, Sycamore, Mulberry, Lynn, Cottonwood, Magno- 
lia, Gum, Pawpaw, Black Jack and some White Ash but of an 
inferior quality. The Peach, Plum, Cherry and Fig Tree 



30 



flourish in this Territory ; and a little further south the Or- 
ange Tree produces as fine Oranges as I ever saw. The woods 
here abound with a great variety of wild fruit, such as Grapes, 
Muscadines, Mulberry, Chinkapins, and many other kinds the 
names of which I do not recollect. 

The soil produces Cotton, Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Rice, 
Indigo, etc, all of which same are raised excepting the latter ; 
but the former is the staple of the Country. The raising of 
Cotton is found to be such profitable Business that the planters 
have turned their whole attention to this Article, and do not 
raise provisions enough to support their own families. The 
expense of making Cotton, comparatively speaking, is so 
trifling that a few years' attention and industry raise the 
owners of plantations and slaves to a degree of Affluence and 
popularity, frequently placing them beyond want and yielding 
independent fortunes. Since this Country has been under the 
American Government it seems to have been progressing to a 
state of wealth and population almost of too great a magni- 
tude to give credit. I know several planters in this Territory 
whose annual income, merely from the article of Cotton, is 
20,000 Dollars each ; and many others have each an income of 
some 4,000, some 6,000, some 10,000 and some 12,000 Dollars, 
etc., annually. From the prevailing practice of extravagant 
living and the want of good economy, these men do not acquire 
such wealth and great fortunes as would be expected from 
their annual income. Their children must be indulged in all 
their extravagant propensities which their pride for show, 
grandeur and gay life naturally leads them. 

The people of this Country are fond of Shooting, Horse 
Racing, Cards, Billiards, Music and Dancing ; and as Slavery 
appears to be progressing to an unknown height, a door is 
open for vice, immorality and time misspent, more than in 
those Countries where Slavery is little known. Very few white 
people here labor. The Planting Business is all done by the 
Negroes directed by overseers, and all domestic concerns, 
such as cookery and other affairs necessary in housekeeping, 
are attended to by servants. 

Notwithstanding the extravagant and expensive mode 
of living, the people in this Country do not live so well as the 
people in many parts of the United States ; yet most of the 
planters may be said to be steady, industrious, sober men. 
They are beginning to educate their children in the English 



31 



and French languages, and measures are adopted to introduce 
Schools and Academies into both these Territories. 

There is not a Country perhaps on earth where gamb- 
ling, dissipation and many other unpardonable practices have 
crept in more than into this ; and what is very singular, the 
young people who are raised here are not so much given to 
these vices as those who came to this Country from other parts 
of the world. The unparalleled custom of dueling prevails 
here more than in any other part of the world that I have ever 
heard or read of. The most trivial disputes, either in politics 
or any other way, must be decided by a duel, which often 
ends in the death of some near friend, leaving either parents, 
wives or children to lament his dreadful fate. There have 
been five duels fought opposite Natchez on the Louisiana shore 
since I arrived in the Territory, and several others in dif- 
ferent parts of the Country. Human life is of little conse- 
quence on this part of the Continent, whether people are hur- 
ried into future existence by sickness, or fatal accidents by 
Providence ; whether they fall in duels or are assassinated by 
thieves and robbers, it is noticed but little more than the death 
of the beasts among Christian people. The Laws of the 
Country, it is true, forbid murder and manslaughter, while 
humanity and hospitality claim to be diffused among the un- 
fortunate and unprotected. But the people know but little of 
the former, and are devoid of the feelings of both the latter. 

Men are permitted to shoot and butcher each other on 
the spot ; and if either survive, he may cross the Mississippi 
into the other Territory, or step into Florida, and there take 
up his residence with impunity. A Spaniard was killed at 
Natchez last Spring by a Kentuckian, merely from some dis- 
pute that took place between the former and a Boatman be- 
longing to the latter. The man belonging to the Boat inter- 
fered, and the Spaniard ran. He was followed and fired upon 
by the Kentuckian, but did not fall immediately — he went a 
short distance and fell. The assassin not having glutted his 
fury, it is said, came up and shot him through the head and 
left him dead on the ground. There was very little or no 
trouble taken to apprehend the murderer. It was said he 
crossed the River opposite to Natchez ; and for aught I know 
he might have remained there until this day unmolested. 
These, with many other corroborating circumstances, show 
how the laws of this Country are put in force. 



32 



I do not enjoy myself so well as I expected to have done 
when I first came to this Country. This is in a great measure, 
I believe, to be owing to bad health. But Heaven be praised, 
I am yet alive and in better health than I have been for these 
last six months past, I see a great deal of company, but it is 
not that kind which is agreeable to my taste. I meet with 
those who appear to possess a disposition to be sociable and 
friendly. But the customs and manners of the people here 
are so different from ours, I take but little pleasure in their 
society. When I say society, I mean their company. As to 
society, there is, strictly speaking, none — neither moral nor re- 
ligious. Nothing induces me to stay in this Country, but its 
being beyond a doubt the best of America for accumulating 
property. However, I am not conscious that it is my duty to 
sacrifice my health and happiness for the glimmering pros- 
pects of property in this nor any foreign clime. 

Admitting the distance from here to Philadelphia to be 
1500 miles as it is called, the distance from, here to Westmore- 
land, via New York and Albany, is 1843 miles. This distance 
may be shortened by going from New York, through the 
States of Connecticut and Massachusetts, 

My engagements are such that I must be in this Terri- 
tory till the first of June next ; and it is not impossible that I 
may settle here, if I can endure the climate and enjoy a toler- 
able degree of good health ; however, it is uncertain. At any 
rate, wherever I am, and whatever my lot may be, it shall be 
my study to make known to my friends my good or ill for- 
tune, as it may occur. 

My best respects to your Father's family and all inquir- 
ing friends. 

Accept assurances of my warmest wishes for your 
health, prosperity and future happiness. 

Silas Brown. 

Postage from Natchez 25 cents. ] 



Laurel Hill, June 15th, 1808. 
Dear Sir : 

The latest date from the Northern States being 
Jan'y 13th, 1808, I deem it expedient to write once more stat- 
ing the different times I have written and the letters I have 
received. Since I have been in this Territory I have written 



33 



you the following different dates, viz : From Natchez, March 
7th, 1807 ; from Hamichitto, Septr. 10th, 1807 ; from ditto Octr, 
26th, 1807 ; from Laurel Hill, Jan'y 18th, 1808, and from ditto, 
Feb'y 16th, 1808. 

I wrote to my Father in the months of March, June, Sept., 
1807, and in Jan'y and May last. I wrote to my Brother in the 
months of Nov., Dec. and March last. I have received one 
letter from you, dated July 29th, 1807 ; one from my Father, 
dated Sept. 23rd, 1807, and one from my Brother, dated Jan'y 
7th, 1808. These are all I have received from the New Eng- 
land States ! I fear that either through the negligence or dis- 
honesty of some Post Master between here and Philadelphia, 
my letters have never reached their destined places. I am 
extremely anxious to know how many have been received, and 
whether it has been in your power to effect a final settlement 
with John Robbins, as stated in my letter of the 18th of Jan'y. 

When I left Keene, there was some small demands 
against me at that place, a part of which were then due. But 
I had previously agreed with those persons holding them to 
postpone the time of payment till I should have returned from 
the State of New York, which I expected would have been 
the following Spring or Summer. As I have never heard how 
any of the property has been disposed of, excepting the Land 
at Mount Holly, it is probable it has been appropriated to 
meet a part of those demands, unless it has been conveyed to 
Mr. Robbins, which, from the tenor of your letter of July 29th 
appears has not been the case. I wrote to John G. Bond the 
5th of May last, inserting a statement of all the Debts alive 
when I left Keene, and of the property that was left in the 
hands of John Robbins and ray Father. I requested him to 
write me on the subject, stating what demands were unpaid, 
and to point out the most proper method by which I might 
meet those demands. A few days subsequent to the date of 
my letter I received a Note from Seth Hunt at Natchez, form- 
erly of Keene, informing me that John G. Bond had enclosed 
him a small Note of mine for collection. I read with surprise. 
I went immediately to Natchez, saw Mr. Hunt, and paid my 
Note. He informed me that he should leave Natchez in a 
short time for New Orleans, and should there take passage for 
the Eastern States. 

I never experienced a greater anxiety relative to any 
concern of my own than I do to know how near my Business 



34 



in New England has been brought to a close, and what de- 
mands now remain due, I have ever expressed a wish to have 
what property I left disposed of to the best advantage, 
and have requested that the proceeds should be appropriated 
to meet certain demands. How far this request (which was 
made to my Father) has been complied with I cannot say. I 
therefore hope you will have the goodness to write by the first 
mail what has been done, and whether you have received my 
letter of the 18th Jan'y. I regret extremely that I am neces- 
sarily compelled to give any of my friends trouble with my 
Business, or to solicit their attention in those affairs in which 
they are not particularly concerned. But the principles of 
morality and the honor of a man require that I should take 
this alternative to remedy the consciousness of my error, and 
do justice to others. I hope your demand has been settled to 
your satisfaction ; also hope you have been compensated for 
any trouble you may have been at in effecting a settlement 
with Mr. Robbins, which I presume has been done, provided 
you have received the statement of the obligations between us. 

A letter to my Father, dated January 9th, 1808, one to 
John Robbins, dated Jan'y 20th, 1808, and one to you, dated 
Jan'y 18th, 1808, covering a letter to my Brother ; also a prom- 
issory Note, signed by John Robbins, all left the Post Office at 
Natchez the same day. The letter to you being double, and 
principally upon my Business, I paid the postage. But in 
future I think it best to pay no postage till we receive our let- 
ters. When the postage is paid, especially on double letters, 
they are supposed to contain something of consequence ; and 
as I make no doubt but there are dishonest Post Masters or 
clerks between this and the State of Pennsylvania, it is very 
probable letters are frequently opened, and perhaps destroyed. 
One man we know has been detected in his villainy, and has 
since been removed from office. We have had no news from 
the United States for several weeks past. The most important 
here is that the Indians are beginning to commit outrages in 
different parts of the Country, Accounts from Tennessee 
state that eight men have been killed, low down on the Ohio, 
by the Creeks or Chocktaws. Two men have been killed on 
the Mississippi, between here and New Orleans, by the Ala- 
bamas, and several wounded. The embargo annoys the trade 
in this Country very considerably. Cotton has been as low as 
$12 per hund. in New Orleans, but it is now selling at $15, 
and a probability of its continuing to rise, 

35 



As to myself, I can say but little, so far as it relates to 
my future engagements in any line of Business, Under exist- 
ing circumstances and the present state of National affairs, I 
cannot calculate upon any thing more than to continue in some 
kind of Business at a fixed salary till the scale turns. 

My health is much better than it has been for almost a 
year past, and still continues to be returning. If no accident 
in sickness overtakes me this summer, I hope to be able to 
endure the climate hereafter. There is not a person out of 
fifty who has a seasoning so severe as I have had already. 
Do not fail to write me directly to Natchez. 

I am, Sir, with Sentiments of the highest Esteem and 
respect, 

Your most Obt. Servt., 

Silas Brown. 



Laurel Hill (M. T.) July 21st, 1808. 
My Dear Friend : 

Your favor of the 18th April came to hand 
the 25th of June, in which you stated that you had received 
my letters down to the 18th of Jan'y- Since that time I have 
written to you, Feb'y 16th, and June 13th, the latter of which 
you can not yet have received. 

You observe that a great part of my letters have afforded 
you much pleasure, while a part has drawn from you an anx- 
ious sigh on account of the peculiar situation in which I have 
been placed as respects the Expedition of Aaron Burr. O ! 
my dear Sir, if this unhappy event has caused my friends to 
sigh, who have but a faint idea of the nature of my adventure, 
what must have been my feelings, and what must I have expe- 
rienced, who have been an unfortunate sufferer and passed 
through scenes which have never been described — scenes 
which would add sublimity to the tragedies of Shakespere. 

I have already given you some account in my former 
letters, of many circumstances that took place in the "Western 
Country in the year 1806, and stated several reasons why I 
was induced to leave the Northern States. I therefore deem 
it unnecessary to add any thing further relative to the "Infa- 
mous Expedition," and have only to remark that when I left 
New York I had no propensity to abandon my friends and 
acquaintances, and have at all times and places, since, remon- 
strated against any unlawful Enterprise whatever, and have 

36 



refused to take a part in any act that would criminate myself 
or violate the Laws or Constitution of my Country. 

It seems you have communicated my wishes to Mr. 
Robbins concerning the land at Mount Holly, and that he re- 
fuses to give up my notes, or to make a settlement on any 
proposition whatever. It must be well known that this prop- 
erty I do not want ; and that it is worth as much to any man 
in London or Paris as it would be to me. I have ever ex- 
pressed a wish that this property should have been appropri- 
ated to meet certain demands ; and have taken every method 
in my power to adjust my concerns with Mr. Robbins, and to 
bring those affairs to a final close. Mr. Robbins may flatter 
himself that my absence will be an acquisition to him, and that 
he may profit himself thereby. But I can assure him that I 
have no idea of paying any demand a second time ; and that 
if he should think proper to forward those demands to this 
Country for collection, I shall take every step in my power to 
avail myself of that justice, which the laws of this Territory 
have pointed out. On the receipt of yours of the 18th of 
April, I had resolved to give myself no further trouble con- 
cerning the Business. But I think I shall write to Mr. Rob- 
bins once more, stating to him the disagreeable situation of the 
business, and the impropriety of waiting my return. You ad- 
vised me to forward money to induce him to redeed the land ; 
but as I said before, the property I do not want, and to do this 
would be but little more to my interest than to throw so much 
money into the Mississippi. I am willing that Mr. Robbins 
should have the land, not at my price, but at a price fixed by 
any two or three men who may know the value of the prop- 
erty. Should he not be disposed to do this, I shall give myself 
no further trouble nor concern. However, I propose to write 
him on the subject. 

Notwithstanding my misfortunes by sickness, loss of 
money, time or reputation, I hope I shall never regret the haz- 
ardous undertaking in which I immerged when I so precipi- 
tately left the State of New York. At the same time I am not 
unconscious of that error, and let my fortune be what it may, 
it must be attributed to the consequence of that enterprise. 
Although I am not prejudiced in favor of anything in this 
Country, except its being the best within my knowledge for 
accumulating property, yet it is highly probable I shall settle 
in one of these Territories. 

37 



It is my highest ambition to effect some lucrative and 
honorable line of Business which will compensate the troubles, 
fatigues and unpleasantness of being marked as a conspirator. 
But it is impossible to calculate upon any permanent Business 
in the present situation of our common Country. 

Should the embargo be raised the ensuing Fall or Win- 
ter, every branch of Business will flourish throughout the 
whole Country. On the other hand, a war with either England 
France would annoy this Country more, perhaps, than any 
other part of the Union. A thinly inhabited Country, sur- 
rounded as we are on all sides by Indians and Spaniards, 
would have serious dangers to apprehend in case of an emer- 
gency or a foreign invasion ; and, besides, the French, on the 
coast of New Orleans, are always ready for any commotion 
whatever that would terminate in hostilities against American 
peace and happiness. Time alone, however, discloses all future 
events. 

You observe that you should be glad to forward me two 
newspapers in exchange for two printed in this Country, If 
the heat is not too great I expect to be at Natchez in the course 
of 15 days, and shall endeavor to make arrangements to for- 
ward you one, printed in that city, and another printed in New 
Orleans, weekly. You will please to forward your papers on 
the receipt of this, one of which I hope is a Boston paper. 

You request me to inform you what I am doing. At 
present I am doing no Business of any consequence. I shall 
leave this place by the first of Sept. and shall go into some 
Business at Natchez, or a place not far distant. I am much 
opposed, however, to making Natchez a place of residence. 
It is, generally speaking, the most unwholesome, dissipated, 
unhappy place I ever knew or heard of. At any rate, if no 
accident or sickness overtakes me again, I have nothing to 
fear. You may expect to hear from me as usual, and I hope 
you will not fail to encourage a correspondence between us. 
May the most happy union exist in your little family, and may 
long life, health and prosperity add to you and your partner's 
happiness. 

I am, Sir, with Sentiments of Esteem, respectfully. 
Your obt. and very humble Servant, 

Silas Brown. 



38 



Hamochitto, (M. T.) 17th Octr. 1808. 
My Worthy Friend : 

Your favor of the 30th July, enclosing copies 
of two former letters, came to me a few days since, by which 
it appears you enclosed my note the 18th of April last, and 
forwarded it by mail. The letter has been received, as stated 
in mine of the 21st July, but the note has never reached me ! 
It is probable that some generous Post Master or clerk who is 
in the habit of searching letters, had the assurance to break 
open your letter with such niceness, as not to have been ob- 
served, and take therefrom the note. But as the note was 
discharged, much good may it do the villain who dared pre- 
sume on such an unpardonable offence. I have written to my 
Brother four or five different times within these last twelve 
months, and have received only one letter from him, which 
was dated Jan'y 7th, 1808. I make no doubt his letters or mine 
have fallen into the same channel as that of my note, and been 
destroyed. 

Concerning the subject of my Business with Jno. Rob- 
bins, I flattered myself when I wrote you last that I should 
not be under the necessity of introducing the subject again. 
But it appears that Mr. Robbias bears off, and is not disposed 
for a settlement on any reasonable terms. I wrote him, the 
27th of July, expressing my wishes that a just settlement 
should take place, and stated to him how the business might 
be brought to a close with very little difficulty. I am extremely 
anxious that this business should be settled, and the obliga- 
tions which Mr. Robbins holds against me lodged in your 
hands. That you may have a perfect knowledge of the busi- 
ness, and understand my wishes more fully, I have extracted 
the following from the copy of my letter to Mr. Robbins of 
the 27th July, viz : 

" You must be fully aware that I have expressed a wish 
" that the land at Mount Holly should fall into your hands, 
" and that when I left the State of Nev/ York I ordered that 
" this property should be appropriated to meet your demands, 
" and that since I have been in this Country I have taken 
" every method in my power to effect a just settlement and 
" to bring the business to a final close. I regret extremely that 
" after having taken so much trouble to adjust my affairs, that 
" they must still remain in this disagreeable situation. Why 
" you could object to a settlement with Mr. Brown, I cannot 
" say, unless you had expectations of my being in New Eng- 

39 



" land shortly to attend personally to this Business. But as I 
" have not the least expectation of being in any of the North- 
" ern States in a less time than 4 or 5 years, and perhaps not 
" then, I have thought it expedient to write you once more 
" stating the impropriety of waiting my return and to point 
" out explicitly whereby a satisfactory settlement may be made. 
" You will therefore make out an impartial statement of your 
' demands, and to render it to Ephraim Brown, Jr., Esq., who 
" is authorized to receive and settle the same. Your statement 
cannot differ materially from mine, which I forwarded to Mr, 
Brown in the Month of Jan'y last, which you may have seen. 
" The property at Mount Holly I do not want, and am willing 
that you should have it at a fair price — not at my price, but 
' at a price fixed by any two or three men of good judgmenti 
" who may know the value of the land. Exclusive of the land 
" deeded to you by Mr. Brown, there are eleven acres of im- 
" proved land adjoining this tract, which may be obtained by 
" paying Mr. Stephen Fletcher, of Mount Holly, thirty dollars 
" and fifteen cents, with interest from June 1st, 1805 — this be- 
" ing attached to the other tract, will increase the value of 
" both, and will make a very handsome little farm. Now, Sir; 
" as it is out of my power to do any thing further, and as I 
" have no expectation of being in New England for many 
" years, and perhaps never again, it is sincerely my wish that 
" two men of sound judgment at Mount Holly be chosen to say 
what this property is worth, and that a conveyance of the 
whole be made to you, and that your demands be dischaged 
" in this way, and my obligations which you hold lodged in the 
" hands of Ephraim Brown, Jr., Esq. Should the land be 
" appraised to more than the amount of your demands, give 
" yourself no trouble concerning the surplus — should it not 
" amount to so much, I will endeavor to make up the deficiency 
" immediately on receiving such information. I make no doubt 
" but you will cheerfully comply with this request, and let the 
business rest no longer in this unpleasant situation, but be 
'' brought to a full close. Should you not think proper to do 
" this, I shall not consider myself bound by any principal of 
honor to do anything more relative to the business. At the 
same time, do not think that I wish to impose the land on 
" you involuntarily, if you do not choose the property, let it be 
" sold for what it is. worth, and the money be appropriated to 
meet your demands. All I wish for is that an honest settle- 
ment should be made, and that you may receive your just 

40 



" dues — I wish for nothing unreasonable nor unjust. Neither 
can I think you would wish to secure this property to your- 
" self, and still to retain my obligations in your hands with any 
" injuries to me whatever. If, therefore, you have a disposi- 
" tion that equal justice should be done, you certainly will, I 
" think, comply with the request herein made. But if the bu- 
' siness should continue in the present situation, and my obli- 
" gations should be presented for payment hereafter, I must 
" necessarily take the most proper steps to avail myself of that 
" justice which the laws of this Territory have pointed out. 
" However, I flatter myself that there will be no difficulty, and 
that the business will now be brought to a close," 

By the foregoing you will understand how I wished a 
settlement to be made, provided you could not agree with Mr. 
Robbins upon a price of the land. If it is possible to effect a 
settlement with him upon any reasonable terms, I wish the 
notes and accounts to be left in your hands, for I can assure 
you that I am not willing that any demand against me should 
lie in his hands. 

Should Mr. Robbins not think proper to do this, I do 
not wish to give you any further trouble concerning the busi- 
ness, and shall leave him to take his own way, I have already 
given you more trouble than I am willing to give any gentle- 
man with my concerns. But it is to be hoped that my impor- 
tunities will be pardoned when you reflect that the great dis- 
tance I am from you, and my long absence, necessarily compel 
me to make these solicitations, * 

From the tenor of your letter of the 19th Nov., 1807, you 
seem to manifest a spirit of much friendship, and express a 
great concern relative to the dangerous situation in which I 
was placed after I left my native country. I am not uncon- 
scious of the anxieties and concerns which my friends have 
experienced, nor of the nature of the enterprise and the dang- 
erous tendencies to which such expeditions lead. Perhaps it 
would be unnecessary to say more than I have already said in 
my former letters on this occasion ; yet it would be a pleasure 
to me to make you acquainted with every motive in my view, 
since the thing was first communicated to me, to the present 
time, and to thow all the light that is in my power relative to 
the hazardous adventure ; but I am not master enough of our 
language to express my feelings on the subject. Suffice it to 
say, that if ever I should have the pleasure of seeing you 



41 



again, I can then say much more than I think proper to commit 
to paper. 

You observe that you do not doubt but this is a good 
country for speculation, and for acquiring property ; but speak 
greatly against the manner in which it is made. I acknowledge 
that the wealth which many possess has been gained by serv- 
itude and cruelty exercised on human beings who are pos- 
sessed of the reasonable faculties of life, and are capable of 
civilization. Your sentiments in many respects concerning 
slavery perfectly concur with mine ; while in some other in- 
stances my ideas differ widely from yours, as expressed in 
your letter of the 19th Nov. last. 

Suppose, my dear friend, slavery in this country to be 
entirely done away, what would the country be worth ? Per- 
haps you may say what is New England worth, where there is 
no slavery ? I answer that there is a material difference be- 
tween the two countries. In the Northern States the climate 
is such that every white man, in health, can cultivate the earth. 
Here he cannot ; and it seems to have been predestined by 
the Divine Being that we should be provided for in those 
climates where our constitutions will not admit of labour. 
Nature seems to have formed the blacks for all hot countries, 
and endowed their minds with a humble submission to the 
service of the whites. 

Notwithstanding, however, their submission to the yoke 
of bondage, let them not be treated an hundred times worse 
than we treat our beasts of burthen, but let them be provided 
with the necessaries of life, at least enough for the support of 
nature. I confess that it has made my heart ache, and the 
blood chill through my veins to see the cruelty and severity 
with which these poor unhappy wretches have sometimes 
been used. 

I frequently say to myself, " How much happier am I 
than you who possess hundreds of slaves, and enjoy all the 
luxuries of life, and swim in the tide of affluence and wealth," 
Yet, I cannot say that I wish slavery totally abolished. But I 
can freely say that I could see the masters of Negroes, who 
are devoid of every feeling of humanity, and whose cruelty 
and oppression cry to heaven for vengeance, snatched from 
their opulence, and immerged in the depth of slavery, and 
servitude, during life, without the least regret. Servants of 
every description ought to be trained to know their duty and 

42 



to esteem and obey their masters. In return, it is our duty to 
use them like human beings, and to give them that support 
which nature requires for the comforts of life. If this were 
the case in all countries where slavery prevails, how much 
more happy would that race be than thousands in the world 
who are born free, and enjoy the rights of liberty through 
life. Our ears are shocked with the word " Slavery." But in- 
stead of the whips, chains and prisons, let us substitute the 
principles of hospitality and humanity towards those unfortu- 
nate beings and the name is all. 

I might offer many arguments in favor of the service of 
the black race, but cannot produce one in favor of the inhu- 
mane treatment which they generally receive from the whites. 
Slavery, in the limited sense of the word, as I just observed, is 
but little or nothing more than the name. But, when men, 
women and children are involuntarily torn from their native 
country, relations and friends, transported to foreign countries 
where their language is not known, laid under the severest 
restrictions, exposed to all the hardships, cruelties and unjust 
punishments which men of unfeeling passions think proper to 
inflict, we cannot but behold them with pity and condole with 
them on their unhappy fates. After all, this is no more than 
slavery ; but slavery of this nature I have as great an aversion 
to as you or any other man in New England. I would make 
a few general observations on this subject before I leave it, 
but for want of room must omit saying any thing further at 
present. 

I made arrangements about the first of August to for- 
ward two Newspapers — the Natchez Gazette, printed at Nat- 
chez, and the Louisiana Gazette, printed at New Orleans. 
These papers have been forwarded to you, weekly, ever since, 
and will continue in the same manner. I have rec'd one No. 
of the N. H. Sentinel. 

When I wrote you last (July 21st) I expected to have 
gone into business at Natchez or its vicinity. But having heard 
that the yellow fever has made its appearance there, and be- 
sides it having been extremely sickly with the prevailing dis- 
eases of this climate, I relinquished the idea a few days subse- 
quent to the date of that letter. I came to this place about 
the 15th Aug., and in consequence of a general check in every 
description of business, I have been here much longer than I 
expected to have been. I cannot give you any information 
concerning my future engagements in any line of business, as 

43 



there is very little to be done here at present. It is highly 
probable I shall settle in some part of this country, conse- 
quently have no expectation of returning to the United States 
for several years, unless business should call me that way, 

This is accompanied -with my best respects to your 
Father's family and all Inquiring friends, 

I am, Sir, with much Respect and Esteem, 

Your Friend and humb, servt., 

Silas Brown, 
P, S, I will know that the moment my note became due 
to you the land was forfeited. But when I last saw Mr, Rob- 
bins he assured me that in case I should not return from the 
State of New York before the time of payment expired, he 
would pay the demand. This I supposed he did, according to 
promise, till since I have received your letter in this country. 
It appears, however, that he has since paid the demand, I 
understand he has written me on the subject, but I have never 
received a word. If you can conveniently forward me the 
Boston Sentinel, it will be thankfully received. Accept my 
sincere thanks for your friendship and benevolence, and kind 
attention to my concerns. 

Adieu — Your friend, 

S. B, 

Natchez, 4th April, 1816. 
Dear Sir : 

Your esteemed favor of the 26th of Feb'y came to 
hand by the last mail. But not recognizing the handwriting, 
and it having come from a place where I least expected, I was 
at considerable loss to determine whether it came from a 
Brother or Cousin or some person of that name, of whom I 
have no remembrance. But on comparing the signature with 
the signatures of Ephraim Brown, Jr.'s letters, formerly at 
Westmoreland, N, H., I was convinced that the letter above 
mentioned is from my old friend and cousin, Ephm. Brown, 
and it is with much surprise that I find him living in that part 
of the country from whence his letter came, I well know that 
part of the State of Ohio — was in Warren and several of the 
neighboring Towns in the Autumn of 1806, where I spent 
some very agreeable time. 

I shall rely on hearing from you on receipt hereof, and 
hope you will not be reserved, but acquaint me with what and 
how you are doing, and also with the wellfare of your Father's 

'^■""''- JlfB-7« 

O 44 



Concerning myself, I am in excelTent health and have 
enjoyed such during the last four or five years. 

It is now almost five years that I have been a principal 
clerk in the " Bank of the Mississippi," established in this city, 
and since my appointment to that Office, have not been ten 
miles from this place. It is probable I shall continue in this 
situation some length of time. 

It will be desirable to open a correspondence with you, 
and shall at all times be happy to receive your letters, and 
will always afford me pleasure in answering them. The next 
time I may have the pleasure to write, I will endeavor to be 
more explicit relative to my situation and concerns in this 
Country. 

I am, Dear Sir, with much Esteem, 

Your friend and obt. Servt, 

Silas Brown. 

NOTE : Directed to E. Brown, Esq., Postmaster, Bloom- 
field, near Warren, Trumbull County, State of Ohio. 

Natchez, July 29th, 1817. 
My Dear and Esteemed Friend : 

It is not without difficulty that I can find time enough 
to write to my most intimate friends ; therefore, as time with 
me is precious, I must be brief. Your esteemed favor of the 
14th May, 1816, was duly received. The only excuse I can 
offer for not having answered your letter under an earlier 

date, is my close confinement to business the various 

duties that devolve on me to discharge in Bank the ab- 
sence of our Cashier all last Summer and Fall all of which, 

when united, I hope will be sufficient apology for my long 
silence. The close application to business during the last two 
or three years has prevented me from being as attentive to ray 
correspondence with my friends as I could wish. If I can 
write once or twice in the course of a year to each of my New 
England friends, it is as much as I can expect till I shall have 
been a little more relieved from the fatigues and pressure of 
business. But I hope this will never prevent my friends from 
writing. Their correspondence is desirable, and I shall at all 
times be happy to receive their letters whenever they may be 
inclined to write. 

A short biographical sketch of my life, since I have been 
in this country, if not entertaining, might, perhaps, be gratify- 

45 



ing. But the want of time precludes all indulgence upon this 
subject, except a few remarks upon the last six years. In the 
month of June, 1811, the Bank of the Mississippi, established 
by law, commenced its operations in this place, with no other 
officers than its President, Directors and Cashier. On the 5th 
of July following, I was appointed to the office of Chief Clerk 
of this institution, and entered upon the duties thereof on the 
10th of the same month. There never having been any other 
clerk in Bank, and the liberality with which the Business of 
this institution has been conducted, have required my greatest 
attention and the most strict application to Business, particu- 
larly for the last two or three years. Since I have been in 
Bank I have never been absent therefrom one day or night — 
neither have I been ten miles from Natchez for more than six 
years. My salary is $1000 a year, exclusive of convenient and 
comfortable lodgings, wood, water, candles, etc. This may be 
thought to be a tolerable liberal salary. I grant it is. But, 
still, I do not conceive it to be adequate to the services ren- 
dered the institution. How long I may continue in this busi- 
ness I cannot say. It is probable some years, unless some- 
thing should offer which might be more advantageous to my 
interest. I am in excellent health, unmarried, and perhaps 
may be so for some years. 

These remarks will throw some light upon my present 
situation and what I am, and have been doing during the last 
six years. Therefore, I will weary your patience no longer 
upon a subject which must be less interesting to you than 
myself. 

There are several subjects on which it would give me 
pleasure to write, but for the want of time they must be omit- 
ted till another opportunity. 

I am happy to hear of your success in your land specu- 
lations and hope you may continue to be prosperous in all 
your undertakings. 

I sent you, last summer, several of our city Newspapers, 
but I am unable to say whether you ever received them or not. 

I intend, in the course of a few days, to make arrange- 
ments with one of our printers to forward you at least one of 
our Gazettes regularly every week. 

Please have the goodness to write me on receipt hereof. 
I am, D'r Sir, with much Esteem, 

Your friend and Obt. Servt., 

Silas Brown. 

46 



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